Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

7/31/1310:11 AM

I would avoid it if they want to take a cut of your cookies as a referral fee. The margins on decorated cookies are slim enough as they are. If they love your work, they should be happy to refer people to you regardless, without skimming off the top. I used to design all the wedding cakes for the Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis (their internal party planner referred everything my way), and never paid them a cut of anything - they got my full price. Not all customers chose to book with me (that is of course always at their discretion), which is another reason to avoid referral fees. Also, be careful with whom you align yourself, as their reputation may reflect on yours.

I completely agree with Julia. Let the party planner know that you do not offer discounted cookies, but that you will cross-market with them (send referalls their way and visa versa).

Originally Posted by Julia M. Usher:

I would avoid it if they want to take a cut of your cookies as a referral fee. The margins on decorated cookies are slim enough as they are. If they love your work, they should be happy to refer people to you regardless, without skimming off the top. I used to design all the wedding cakes for the Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis (their internal party planner referred everything my way), and never paid them a cut of anything - they got my full price. Not all customers chose to book with me (that is of course always at their discretion), which is another reason to avoid referral fees. Also, be careful with whom you align yourself, as their reputation may reflect on yours.

It seems as though they wanted "wholesale" cookies. Upon clarification they wanted me to make custom, incredibly detailed cookies for them and in return they would give me all of their cookie work. The catch? They were not going to credit my work AT ALL. They were going to pass it off as their own on their sweet tables. Plus they wanted "wholesale" prices! Do they think it takes me less time to make more cookies?

I am sure you have all had the pleasures of dealing with similar situations but honesly I am pretty shocked.

Clearly it's a no go. I did, however, take it as a huge compliment. They are a big party/event planner, I think one was a cake designer/baker, and for them to be interested in taking credit for my work, well I'd have to be a fool not to be flattered.

Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

7/31/1310:14 PM

Doesn't surprise me that this was the outcome, LumaeSweets. I got kajillions of requests just like this when I had my shop (everyone wants the world for nothing). But you're right in seeing the silver lining - the compliment.

I was recently asked to join a "party planning" business and had all of the same questions....thank you for having this venue Julia for allowing us to see that what we do truly is a "work of art" and should not be compromised for the sake of a dollar!

i worked with a party planner once and she also told me that she wanted me to be the cookie maker for all her events but it ended up being a nightmare. she asked for one thing then her client changed their mind a day before and had to try and remake it all . Also she asked that i didn't put any of my labels on anything which leads me to think she was going to try and pass them off as her own.

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